Animal trap



May 9, 1944. H. R. GRAYBILL 2,348,251

ANIMAL TRAP Filed Aug. 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Il INVENTOR ATTORNEY ay 9, 1944. H. R. GRAYBlLL 2,348,251

ANIMAL TRAP Filed Aug. 27. 1941 4 sheets-sheet s JQL /l j 6) 20 a 212 219 2195 207 205 20.9 2025 v; I

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ATTORNEY May 9, ,1944. H. vR. GRAYBILL ANIMAL TRAP Filed Aug. 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ens-72e Y'gy ngga' l ATTORNEY APatented May 9, 1944 ANlivlAL TRAP Hershey Roy Graybill, Manheim, Pa., assigner to Animal Trap Company of America, Lititz, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application August 27, 1941, .serial No. 408,431

17 Claims.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several forms in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

My invention relates to an improved trap for rodents such as mice and rats and other small animals. It is an object of the invention to provide atrap that is of simple construction, is easily assembled and has parts so arranged as to permit considerable tolerance in forming and assembling the parts while still maintaining accuracy of operation. It is also an object of the invention to provide a trap in which cooperating parts are arranged to .protect one another from injury in handling. Another object of the invention is to provide an automatically set trap having a unitary bait pedal and counterweight which can be released -by movement of the bait pedal either upwardly or downwardly or, if desired, by movement of the bait pedal vertically or laterally in either direction. A further object of the invention is to provide 4an automatically setting trap that can be set merely by moving the jaw orother animal ,gripping means to set position regardless of the initial position of the Ibait pedal and locking plate.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from .the following description of the trap, selected by'way of example -to illustrate the invention and shown `in the Vaccompanying drawings, in which n Y Fig. 1 is a top plan View of'a trap in accordance with the invention showing the trap in sprung position.

. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are similar sectional views showing successive steps in setting the trap, certain parts of the trap being omitted for the sake of olearness.

Fig. 6 is a similar sectional view showing the springing of the trap.

Figs. 7 and 8 are similar sectional viewsshowing successive steps in .setting the trap whenthe locking plate is initiallyin locked position.

Fig. '9 is a similar sectional view showing a modification.

Figs. 10 and 11 are similar sectional views of a further modification.

Fig. Vlla isa fragmentary sectional View showing a slight modiiication of the trap sliownin Figs. 10 and 11. Y

Figs. 12 and 12a are similar sectional views showing a further modi-cation.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view ltaken on a 'line extending transversely of the trap just to the rear (left) of the trigger portion of the bait pedal and looking towards said trigger portion, showing a nfurther modication of the trap of Figs. 10 and 11 whereby the trap may be released .by movement of the bait pedal vertically or laterally in either direction, i. e., four way release.

Fig. 13a, is a View similar to Fig.- 13 showing the bait pedal in position to release the trap.

Figs. 14 and 14a arediagrammatic views similar to Figs. 13 and 13a showing another modification.

Figs. 15 and 15a are diagrammatic views similar to Figs. 13 and '13a showing a furthermodification. y

The trap shown by way of example in Figs. 1 to 8 to illustrate the invention has a'base I which is ordinarily made of wood, but "which may be made of .any other suitable material upon which the various :parts o1 the trap .are mounted. The animal gripping means, in this instance a jaw 2, is preferably of the usual bail form comprising a single piece of metal bent to form the side arms 2a, the cross bar or striker 2b and the pivot shaft 2c. The jaw is pivotally mounted on the base 'by means of staples 3 engaging the pivot shaft 2c and is actuated iby a suitable spring, for example, -a double coil spring 4,'as shown, which tends to swing the jaw from the -set position. shown in Fig. 5 to the sprung position Ashown in Figs. 1 and 2. f

To hold the jaw in set position (Fig. 5) against the action of its spring, there is provided a longitudinally movable locking plate 5, which is unattached to the base, but is guided by a guiding member 6 which may conveniently be in the5form of a sheet metal staple 4straddling the locking plate and driven into the base. `The locking plate is so shaped and mounted that it can be slipped into operative position after the staple 6 rhasbeen driven and' clenched, thereby facilitating lthge assembling of the-trap. 'y A .y f,

The rear end'jof Ythe locking plate extends rearwardlyof the guide f6. when in operative position and is provided with an open S101?, the .front-ledge of which isshaped to provide a datent 1l -.having an upper cam surface 1a vand ailowercam surface lb. Therear edge .of theislot forms `a .cam surface which V is .inclined reariitar-.dly and :upwardly and is engage'able Lby the jaw to move the locking plate to the rear kin setting the trap. A'

stop 9 is preferably provided for limitingr the rearward movement of the locking plate. The lower edge of the rear end of the locking plate is inclined upwardly as indicated at I0, forming a fulcrum indicated at I I so that in certain circumstances hereinafter explained, downward pressure of the jaw 2 on the rear end of the locking plate will rock the locking plate about the fulcrum Il to .raise the forward end as illustrated in Fig. '7. The opposite upper edge of the locking plate is curved as indicated at I2, to form a second fulcrum engaging the guide 6 to hold the rear end of the locking plate against upward movement while not interfering with limited rocking of the locking plate to raise the forward end. Y

It will be seen that with the trap in set position (Fig. the upward force exerted by the spring actuated jaw 2 on the detent VI tends to rock the locking plate about the fulcrum I2 in aclockwise direction, thereby exerting a downward force on the forwardend of the Vlocking plate. To counteract this rocking moment means is provided :for supporting the forward end of the locking plate against the downwardly di-v rected force exerted upon it, and maintaining said end at a constant level during movement of the locking plate from the set position shown inFig. j5 to the released position shown in Fig. 2. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, the means for supporting the forward end of the locking plate comprises a downwardly extending portion I3 which rests on the base of the trap. It will be understood that the force exerted on the vlocking plate rby the spring actuated jaw as well as the weight of the locking plate itself, tends to maintain the forward end portion of the locking plate in Contact with the base and hence at a constant level.

By reason of the lower cam surface 'lb of the detent 'I the upward pressure of the spring actuated jaw against the cam surface when the trap is inset position also tends to move the locking plate ,longitudinally inY a forward direction. When the trap is in set position the locking plate is held against longitudinal movement by a locking portion or abutment I4 provided at the front end ofA the locking plateA and adapted to engage a cooperatingrmovable trigger portionhaving associated therewith suitable animal actuated means for movingthe trigger to release the trap. The rear edge ofthe locking portion I4 is formed as anv inclined cam surface I 4a. The frontend of thelocking plate may also be provided with a second abutment I5 located slightly to the rear the pivot point of the bait pedal.

of abutment I4 andv serving as a stop to'limit the wardly extending anges IIa of the bait pedal soV that the pedal can be rocked from the set position shown in Fig. 5 to the released position shown in Fig. 3. A counterweight I9, preferably formed as a unitary part of the bait pedal, tends torock the pedal to the position shown in Fig. 5,

herein referred to as the set position of the bait pedal., The counterwegl'rt.V I9 is preferably of in ISaand spacedsidewalls |917 andY overlies the lockingrplate '5 thereby protecting it from injury counterweight member overlying the forward end of the locking plate is apertured as indicated at 20 to permit the forward end of the locking plate to move up over the trigger portion IS as illustrated in Fig. '7. The counterweight is preferably tapered rearwardly as shown in Fig. 1, and the rear end fits loosely over the staple 6 which guides the counterweight and acts as a stop limiting its downward movement. The bait pedal including the counterweight portion is thus held out o-f contact with the base by the staples I 8 and 6. While the depths to which the staples may be driven in the base when the traps are produced by automatic machinery may vary Islightly with variations in the thickness of the base, the height of the staples I8 and 6 relative to one another will always be the same, thereby lmaintaining the bait pedal at the proper angle regardless of variations in the thickness of the base.

As shown in the drawings, the trigger portion may be formed as a downwardly turned flange or Vlip between the vertical side walls of the bait pedal Yand counterrvv'eightV member and may conveniently be formed of material removed in forming the aperture 20. In set position of the trap, the trigger portion I6 engages the locking portion I4 of the locking plate and blocks longitudinal movement of the locking plate in a forward direction, thereby holding it in locked position. It will be seen that the horizontal component of the force exerted on the locking plate by the spring actuated jaw is transmitted by the locking plate to the movable trigger portion I6. The jaw is thus held in set position by the longitudinal pressure of the locking plate against the movable trigger portion. It will be noted that in set position of the trap, the trigger portion and abutting portion of the locking plate are approximately in line with the cross-bar of the jaw and 'I'he pressure is thus transmitted'in a straight line and has no tendency to rock the bait pedal.

' The locking plate is releasable from locked position to release the jaw by moving the trigger portion I6 out of the path of longitudinal movement of the locking plate. This is effected by downward pressure on the forward end of the bait pedal I1 as for example when an animal steps on the bait pedal'or attempts to eat bait secured thereon causing the bait pedal to rock in a clockwise direction about its pivot. This movement of the bait pedal raises the trigger portion I6 out of engagement with the locking portion I4 of the locking plate and permits the locking plate to move forwardly to release the jaw. Forward movement of the locking plate is limited by engagement of the abutment I5 with the trigger portion of the bait pedal (Fig. 2).

Successive steps-in the operation of the trap are shown in Figs. 1 to 8. Figs. 1 and 2 show the trap in sprung position with the jaw in contact with the base. The locking plate 5 is shown in the position it will normally occupy in sprung v position of the trap, the locking portion I4 having passed under the trigger portion I6 of the bait pedal, bringing the second abutment I5 into engagement therewith. In setting the trap, the

in handling. fvIhe vportion of the bait pedal and 75 jaw is Vswung about its pivot in a coun'terclockwise direction to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, thereby bringing it into engagement with the cam surface 8 .at therear end of the locking plate. By reason of the inclination of this cam, further downward movement of the jaw causes the locking plate to be drawn rearwardly as .shown in Fig. 3. During the rearward movement of the locking plate, the lower edge of the trigger .portion I5 'rides up the inclined cam surface Ida thereby rocking the bait pedal and raising the counterweight. (Fig. 3.) As soon as the locking plate has moved to the rear sufficiently for the locking portion I4 to clear the trigger portion I 6, the counterweight I9 drops down, bringing the trigger portion down in front of the locking portion I 4 (Fig. 4). The jaw is then allowed to move upwardly under the action of its spring 4, and engages the lower cam face Ib of the detent 'I forcing the vlocking plate forwardly until the locking portion I4 is pressed into contact with the trigger portion I6. Further forward movement is thereby blocked before the locking plate has moved far enough for the detent tA `clear the jaw and the jaw will therefore be held in set position by the pressure of the locking plate against the movable trigger portion I6 (Fig. 5).

The trap is now in fully set position. It may be sprung `by an animal pressing downwardly on the forward portion of the bait pedal II, whereupon the trigger `portion I6 is moved upwardly out of the path of the locking portion I4 (Fig. 6) allowing the locking plate to move forwardly under the action of the spring actuated jaw pressing against the lower cam face 'Ib of the detent 7. As soon as the locking plate has moved forwardly, sufficiently for the detent to clear the jaw, the jaw is released vand forceably swung to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby striking the animal that has sprung the trap. It will be noted that in moving from the locked position shown in Fig. 5 to the released position shown in Fig. 2, the for-ward Vend of the locking plate remains at the same level. Release of the jaw is thus accomplished not by rocking the locking plate, but by moving the movable trigger portion I6 out of the path of the lock-ing portion Id, thereby permitting rectilinear longitudinal movement of the locking plate -in a forward direction.

A feature of this invention is that the trap can be automatically set merely by swinging the jaw to set position regardless of the initial position of the bait pedal and locking plate. The setting of .the trap from a position in which the locking plate is in its normal released position has been described in conjunction with Figs. 2 lto 6. Figs.

7 and 8 illustrate the automatic lsetting of the trap when the locln'ng plate is initially in locked position so that the forward movement of the locking .plate required for the jaw to pass over the detent 7 is blocked by the trigger portion I6 of the bait pedal. In this event the jaw upon being swung towards set position strikes the upper-cam surface 7a of the detent 'I and rocks the locking plate in a counterclockwise direction about the fulcrum II, causing the forward end of the locking plate to be lifted up through the aperture 28 (Fig. '7). The locking portion I4 will thereupon pass over the top of the trigger portion I6 permitting sucient forward movement of the locking plate by pressure of the jaw on the cam surface Ia to allow the jaw to pass down over the detent "I, v.Further downward movement of the jaw into Contact with the cam surface 8 will draw the locking plate rearwardly as in Fig. 4, .permitting it to drop down to its normal position if it has not already done so by its own weight and by the added weight of the counterweight of the bait pedal resting on it. The jaw is then allowed -to move upwardly under the action of the spring and upon engagement with the lower cam surface 'Ib of the .detent will press the `locking plate against the trigger portion I6 and will thereby be held in set position. The setting of the trap is thus entirely automatic whether "the locking plate happens to be in locked or `in released position.

L In Fig. 9 there .is `shown another embodiment of the invention in which like .parts .are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 8 with ythe addition of .100. The embodiment shown in Fig. 9 differs from that of Figs. 1 to 8 in that the means for supporting the forward `end of the locking plate comprises an arm I2.I lwhich rests on the oa-it pedal .approximately over its lpivot point. As the front .end of .the locking plate is thus supported by the bait pedal .and is held-out of Contact with the base, the proper .positioning of the locking portion II4 relative to the trigger portion lI I6 of the bait pedal is insured irrespective of any variations Jof the depth to which the pivot staple IIB maybe driven into the base. As the arm I2I rests on the bait pedal at a point approximately over the pivot where there is little or no up and down movement when the bait pedal is depressed, the locking plate is 'held in approximately level position at all times. The supporting arm I2I may, if desired, be extended so as to bear on .the bait pedal forwardly of the pivot, whereupon depression of the bait pedal will simultaneously raise the trigger portion AI I6 and lowerthe locking portion IM of the locking lplate making. the trap more sensitive. It will be noted that the arm I2I in addition to supporting the forward end of the locking plate acts as an abutment limiting the forward movement of the lockingplate when 'the locking portion I Id is released and lpasses underneath trigger portion I'II. The operation of .the .trap is 'the same as that of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 8. As with the embodiment previously described, the trap can be automatically set with the locking plate and bait .pedal in any position.

Another embodiment-of the invention is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 inwhich corresponding parts arefgiven the same reference Ynumerals as in Figs. k1k to `8 with the addition of 200. The embodiment lshow-n in Figs. l0 and ll illustrate how the trap of the present invention can be made double-acting, i. e., releasable by either upward or downward movement of the bait pedal merely by making the pivot holes of the bait pedal in the form'oflelongated holes ors'lots. Thus, the downwardly extending flanges 2Mo of rthe bait pedal may be provided'with downwardly opening slots 2I'Ib which receive the pivot staple ZIB and provide a pivot for the bait pedal. An additional staple.222 may be provided to limit the upward movement of the bait pedal and prevent its being accidentally displaced from the pivot staple 2I8. This ,construction .has the advantage that the pivot staple -ZIB may be driven 4and clinched before the bait pedal is placed in position, thereby facilitatingv the assembling of the trap.

The operation in setting the trap of Figs. 10 and 11.is the same-as has been described in conjunction wth the preceding gures. However, the trap is more sensitive in that it vcan be released .by either upward or downward movement ofthe bait pedal. With the trap in set position, Fig. 10, downward movement of the bait pedal 2 I 'I rocks the bait pedal about the pivot staple 2 I8 and causes the vtrigger portion 2I5 to be moved up outfof thepath of the locking portion 2I4, thereby permitting the locking ,plate 2.05 `to move :for-

wardly and release the jaw. Upward movement of the bait pedal on the other hand,causes the bait pedal to be rocked about the rear end of the counterweight 219. as apivot and likewise raises the trigger portion 2|(iVV to release the locking plate as illustrated in Fig;` 11; vI twill :bei noted that the staple 222 limits the 'upward movement of the bait pedal and prevents it being displaced from the pivot staple 2|8. Fig. 11a illustrates how the staple 222 may be dispensed with merely by. closing the lower end'of slot 2 I'Ib as indicated at2l1c. f' A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 12 and 12a in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 8 with the addition of 300. Thetrap is shown in set position in Fig. 12 and in released position in the fragmentary view of Fig. 12a. These gures illustrate how the abutment corresponding to the abutments 15in Figs. 1 to 8 for limiting the forward movement ofthe locking plate may be dispensed Vwith by. properly positioning the pivot staple 3l8 of the bait pedal. It will be seen that when the trigger portion 3l6 is raised to release the locking plate 315, the nose of the locking plate will pass under the trigger portion and will come into engagement with the pivot staple 318, thereby 'limiting the forward movement of the locking plate. With this arrangement of the parts it is thus unnecessary to provide the locking plate with a special stop or abutment for limiting its forward movement. r'he operationof the trap shown in Figs. 12 and 12a is the same as that of Figs. 10 and 11.

Figs. 13 and 13a illustratev diagrammatically how a trap in accordance with the invention and having a unitary bait pedal and counterweight may be made still more sensitivebeing capable of release by movement of the =bait pedal upwardly, downwardly or laterally to either side without requiring any additional parts. In these gures corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals as in Figs. l to 8 with the adclition of 400. The trap shown in Figs. 13 and 13a maybe substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 10 and 1l, except that the pivot staple M8 of the bait pedal and the limiting staple 422 are made somewhat wider thanthe bait pedal and the cross bar lllal of the pivot staple HB is provided at either end with an upwardly sloping portion dlb leaving a central straight portion of approximately the same width as the baitpedal. In set position of the trap, the bait pedal All will be'positioned centrally of the pivot staple 418 as shown in Fig. 13 and the trigger portion IHS will engage the locking portion 414 to hold the locking plate in locked position. Movement of the bait pedal to either side, as for example, by an animal 'pulling sidewise on the bait pedal causes the bait pedal to rock laterally, the upper edge of the pivot aperture 411D riding up on the inclined camV portion 4l8b. of the pivot staple M8 and raising the trigger portion of the bait pedal suiciently to release the locking plate as illustrated in Fig. 13a. Since the central straight portion of the cross bar 4l8a of the pivot staple is of approximately the'same width as the baitv pedal, the latter will tend to center itself when thepressure to one side is re-l Y in conjunction with Figs. 10'and 11. The invention thus provides an automatically setting four way release trap of Asimple construction.

While the apertures'in the bait pedal for receiving the pivot staple M3 are shown in the form of elongated closed slots, it will be understood that the slots may, if desired,'be opened at the bottom, as upward movement of the bait pedal is limited by the staple 422. The limiting staplel 422may, if desired, be slightly narrower than the pivot staple M8 to prevent any possibility' of the bait pedal sliding over the corner of the latter staple.

A' similar four way trap is illustrated diagrammatically Vin Figs. 14 and 14a in which correspending parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 8 with the addition of 500. The trap illustrated in Figs. 14 and 14a differs from that of Figs. lBand 13a in that the upwardly inclined portions 5|8b are located centrally of the cross-bar 5|8a of the pivot staple 518 instead of adjacent its end. Fig. 14 shows the parts in the positions they would occupy in set position of the trap, while Fig. 14a shows the release of the trap by lateral pressure on the bait pedal. It will be seen that when the bait pedal is pressed laterally to either side, it will ride up on one of the inclined cam surfaces 5|8b of the pivot staple, rocking as in the previously described form, on the staple and lifting the bait pedal and trigger portion suciently for the latter to clear the locking portion 5M of the locking plate and thereby release the trap. The opposed inclined surfaces 5I8b of the pivot staple tend to center the bait pedal and to restore it to the position shown in Fig. 14 when the pressure is removed. Release of the trap by upward or downward movement of the bait pedal may be effected in the same manner as in the embodiment of Figs. 10, 11 and 13.

Figs. 15 and 15a illustrate diagrammatically another way in which the trap of the present wardly orlaterally in either direction. In these figures corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals as Figs. 1 to 8 with the addition of 600. In the embodiment shown in Figs, 15 and 15a the downwardlyextending flange portions Gila of the bait pedal Ell are ared outwardly so that the outer faces of the flanges are inclined rather than vertical. In set Vpositionl of the trap the bait pedal assumes the position sho-wn in Fig. 1,5 with the trigger portion 616 engaging the locking portion 6M of the locking plate. Lateral movement of the bait pedal in either direction brings the projecting lower edge Bild of the downwardly extending flange portion Ella into contact with one of the side arms o-f the staple 822 causing the bait pedal to rock as illustrated in Fig. 15a. It will be seen that the' rockingof the bait pedal moves the trigger'portion '695 out of the path of the locking portion 6M ofthe locking plate, thereby releasing theV trap. The trap is also releasable by upward or downward movement of the bait pedal in the same manner as the trap of Figs, 10 and 11: Y Y

It will-be understood that the slots provided in the vbait pedal forA receiving the pivot staple in the embodiment of Figs. 14 and l5 may be open at the bottom, if preferred. The embodiments shown in the drawings are intended merely to illustrate thel invention and are susceptible of modification as desired. Y

tion for holding the jaw in set position and a i trigger engaging portion which is supported by the bait pedal in cooperative relation therewith and out of con-tact with the base.

2. In an automatically setting trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a uni-tary counterweighted bait pedal havingatrigger portion and a locking plate for holding the jaw in set position by pressureagainst said trigger portion in a direction longitudinally of said lockingV plate, said locking plate being released for longitudinal movement by movement of the bait pedal upwardly, downwardly or laterally in either direction.

3. ,In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a locking plate having cam portions coating with the jaw to move the locking plate longitudinallyr in both directions` solely by cam action, including a cam detent for holding the jaw in set position, a bait pedal having a trigger portion located between the pivotal axis of the jaw and the detent of the locking plate, and adapted to block longitudinal move` ment of the locking plate and hold it in locked position and means for moving the trigger portion out of the path of the locking plate to release the trap.

4. In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a longitudinally movable locking plate for holding the jaw in set position, and a bait pedal having a trigger portion adapted to block longitudinal movement of the locking plate and hold it in locked position said trigger portion being moved out of the path of the locking plate by movement of the forward end of the bait pedal vertically or laterally in either direction to release the trap.

5. In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a bait pedal having a trigger portion, a staple secured to the base and pivotally supporting said bait pedal, and a longitudinally movable locking plate for holding the jaw in set position by pressure against the trigger portion of the bait pedal in a direction longitudinal of the locking plate, said bait pedal and said pivot staple having cooperating surfaces for moving the tri-gger portion out of locking engagement with the locking plate to release the trap by movement of the bait pedal laterally in either direction.

6. In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a pivoted bait pedal having an integral counterweight portion and a trigger portion, a locking plate movable rectilinearly in a longitudinal direction between locked position and released position, and having a detent portion for holding the jaw in set position and a locking portion adapted to abut the trigger portion of the bait pedal to hold the locking plate in locked position, said triggerportion being movable to release the locking plate by movement of the bait pedal vertically in either direction.

7. In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a movable trigger, a longitudinally movable locking plate having cam portions coacting with the jaw to move the locking plate in both directions wholly by cam action, including a cam detent iorholding the jaw when inset position, an abutment on the Alocking plate adapted to engage said trigger portion-toliold the locking plate in locked position, means for movin-g the trigger portion out of the path of said abutment to permit longitudinal movement of the locking plate to a jaw releasing position and a second abutment on the locking plate adapted to engage said trigger portion to limit the longitudinal movement of the locking plate.

` 81. In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated law, a longitudinally movable locking plate for holding the jaw in set position, a bait pedal having a trigger portion adapted to hold the locking plate in looked posi-tion, a member pivotally supporting the bait pedal for movement from set position to a position permitting longitudinal movement of the locking plate to release thejaw, said pivot member vProviding an abutment limiting said longitudinal movement oil the locking plate.

9. In a trap, thecombination of animal gripping means, a longitudinally movable locking 'plate for holding the animal gripping means in set position, a staple guiding said locking plate, a bait pedal having a trigger portion for holding the locking plate in locked position, and a staple pivotally supporting the bait pedal, the locking plate and bait pedal being'insertable in operative position after said staples are in place.

110. InV a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a locking plate for holding the jaw in set position and movable rectilinearly in a longitudinal direction from set position to released position, a bait pedal having a trigger portion adapted to hold the locking plate in locked position and a portion overlying the locking plate, means for moving the front end of the locking plate upwardly and forwardly to release the locking plate by pressure of the jaw when setting the trap with the locking plate initially in locked position, the bait pedal being apertured to permit said movement of the locking plate.

11. In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a locking plate for holding the jaw in set position, said locking plate being movable longitudinally from a set position to a released position, a pivoted bait pedal having a trigger portion adapted to engage said locking plate to releasably hold it in locked position, and an integral counterweight portion overlying and protecting said locking plate, and a staple secured to the base and forming a guide for the locking plate and the counterweight portion of the bait pedal and forming anabutment limiting longitudinal movement of the locking plate and limiting pivotal movement of the bait pedal to support said counterweight portion out of contact with the base.

12. In a trap, the combination of animal gripping means, a pivoted bait pedal having a trigger portion movable by gravity to set position, and a longitudinally movable locking plate adapted to engage the trigger portion of the bait pedal and having cam portions coacting with said animal gripping means including a cam detent engaging the animal gripping means when in set position and tending to move the locking plate longitudinally to released position, said locking plate being movable in both directions sclely by cam action and being held in set position by longitudinal pressure against said trigger portion.

l 13. Inai trap, thecombinationY of a base,V a pivoted-spring actuatedv jaw, a movable trigger, a freely movable and unbiased locking plate 'having cam portions coacting With the jaW to move said locking fplate longitudinally in both directions solely by cam action, including a cam detent forrhoiding the jaw in set position by longitudinal pressure of the locking plate against said trigger, said trigger'being movable by gravity to set position and animal actuated means for moving the trigger to release the locking plate.

14. In a trap, the combination of a base, animal gripping means, a bait pedal having a trigger portion, a. locking plate for Ylmlding said animal gripping means in set Vposition. by pressine-'against said.V trigger portion, said loclxng plate beingY capakue of'lmited longitudinal movement and vertical krockingnicwenierit, and having cam surfaces engageable by said animal gripping meansv and the trigger portion in setting the trap to move the locking plate into set position from any position in which it may be.

4set-position anda jaw releasing position and being. moved in both directions solely by cam action, and a bait pedal having a trigger portion adaptedto engage the locking plate to hold it yin set position, said trigger portion being movable by gravity to plate holding' position, and being movable out of the longitudinal path of movement of the locking plate to release the trap.`

5 v16. In a trap, the combination of a base, a pivoted spring actuated jaw, a pivoted bait pedal having a trigger portion, a locking plate having at its rear end a detent for holding the jaw in set position and at its front end an abutl0 ment adapted to engage said trigger portion to hold the locking plate in locked position, the trigger portion ofthe bait pedal being movable vertically to release said locking plate, and means vsupporting the front end of the locking plate out of contact with the base and at a constant level-relative to the pivot of the bait pedal.

1'?. In.V a. trap,VA the combination of a basefa pivoted spring actuated jaw having side arms and a cross bar, a bait pedal having a trigger portion, a pivotal support for said bait pedal, said bait pedal being counterweighted to tend to rock it to its set position, a locking plate having a detent engaging the cross bar of the jaw to hold the jaw in set position and a locking portion engaging the trigger portion of the bait pedal to hold the locking plate in locked position, the point;Y of engagement between said locking portion andsaid trigger portion being approximately in line with the cross bar of the jaw and the pivotal support ofthe bait pedal when the trap is in set position. v

HERSHEY ROY GRAYBIIL- 

